210 SYNOPSIS OF THE HUMMING-BIRDS. 



Genus CV.— ELVIEA. 



Type. 



Elvira, MuLs. and Verr., Class. Troch. (1865), p. 32 (nee 1875, Cat. Ois. Moucli. p. 9). T. chioniirus, Gould. 



Ch. Bill shorter than the head, curved, nostrils J^- ^^'^^ 



partly exposed. Wings long, narrow, pointed. Tail 

 very slightly rounded. Tarsi clothed. Sexes dis- 

 similar. 



Ramje. Costa Rica and Vcragua, 



Two species are known. jn^va »j,r„v.:;,,. cosuitica. vaar..,™. 



Key to the species. 



A. Under parts shining green. Under tail coverts pure white. 



a. Median rectrices coppery-bronze, lateral ones white tipped with bronze. 1. E. cupreiceps. 



b. Median rectrices bronzy-green ; lateral ones white, apical portions black. 2. E. chionura. 



1. Elvira cupreiceps. 



Eupherusa cupreiceps, Lawr., Ann. N. Y. Lye. Nat. Hist. (1866), vol. viii, p. 348. 

 Thaumatias cupreiceps, Solat. and Salv., Nomencl., p. 92 (1873). 

 Elvira cupreiceps, MuLS., Hist. Nat. Ois. Mouch., torn, i, p. 268. 



Hob. Costa Rica. 



Male. Top of head shining coppery-green; upper surface bronzy-green, changing 

 to coppery-red on the upper tail coverts. Under surface luminous emerald-green, 

 brightest on the throat and breast. Vent and under tail coverts pure white. Wings 

 purple. Median rectrices coppery-bronze ; lateral ones white tipped with bronze. 

 Bill and feet black. Total length, 3 1 in. Wing, 2 in. Tail, 1 J in. Culmen, j*g in. 



Female differs in having the top of head bronzy-green, and entire under parts 

 except the flanks pure white. Otherwise like the male. 



2. Elvira chionura. 



TrocliUus (Tliaumatias ?) chionurus, Gould, P. Z. S. (1850), p. 162. 



Leucippus chionurus, Reich., Aufz. der Colib., p. 11 (1853). — Id., Troch. Enum., p. 8, pi. 780. figs. 4813-15 



(1855). 

 Thaumantias chionura, Bon., Rev. and Mag. Zool. (1854), p. 255. 

 Agyrtria chionura. Cab. and Hein., Mus. Hoiii. Th., iii, p. 32 (note 7) (1860). 

 Thaumatias chionurus, Gocld, Mon. Troch., vol. v, pi. 300. — Id., Intr. Troch., octavo ed., p. 153 (18G1).— 



Elliot, Ibis (1878). p. 48. 

 Elvira chionura, Muls., Hist. Nat. Ois. Mouch., torn, i, p. 266. 



Eab. Veragua and Costa Rica. 



Male. Upper surface dark grass-green ; under surface luminous emerald-green, 

 lightest on the throat, centre of abdomen and under tail coverts white. Wings 

 purple. Median rectrices bronzy-green; lateral ones white, with their apical 

 portions black. Bill black, flesh-colored spot at base of mandible. Feet black. 

 Total length, 31 in. Wing, 1| in. Tail, If in. Culmen, | in. 



